Somalia’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Ahmed Isse Awad said the meeting with Somaliland President, Muse Bihi in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday was not political.
Speaking during an interview with VOA Somali service on Wednesday, Ambassador Ahmed Awad dismissed social media posts that politicized the meeting between Somalia and Somaliland officials in Mecca.
“We met President Bihi in a mosque, our meeting had nothing to do with politics but greetings and brotherhood,” Somali Foreign Minister told VOA Journalist.
The Minister further stated that his team had no authority to discuss politics while in Islam holy site.
“The delegation from Somalia had no permission to deliberate issues related to politics.”
Ambassador Awad, however, said that the meeting between the two sides is a good recipe for further dialogue between Hargeisa and Mogadishu.
“I learned a lot from my first meeting with President Bihi, He is someone who values brotherhood and with a good heart.”
Somaliland main opposition party, Wadani has since demanded an explanation from President, Bihi and his interior minister, Mohamed Kahin regarding the meeting with Somali officials in Saudi Arabia.
